Something is rotten in the cotton

JESCA (James E. Scott Community Association) is Miami's oldest social service organization run by blacks. Most of its board of directors are prominent members in Miami's black community. So why, pray tell, does Joe Arriola, a white Hispanic, need to bail out the organization?

It's humiliating that in 2007, blacks have added yet another master to which they must ask 'how high'? The message is that blacks can't run a business and govern themselves. @#$% This crap must stop. Several individuals must be held accountable for the predicament blacks are in today, especially the black community that allows the injustices to continue.

It's time for the black community at large to wake up and rise up. Too much money has been made at our expense for only a few to benefit. If you keep doing what you're doing, you're keep getting what you got.

Hotep!

Rashida

Community group faces loss of schools contract

Financial woes may cause one of the Southeast's oldest community groups to lose a county schools contract.

BY TANIA deLUZURIAGA
tdeluzuriaga@MiamiHerald.com


Related Content
Document JESCA Financial Statements

Chronic financial problems may cause the James E. Scott Community Association to lose its contract with the Miami-Dade school district.

An audit released last week described a debt-riddled, cash-strapped agency with nearly $300,000 in overdue debt -- and twice as much in debts as in assets.

''JESCA, for all practical purposes, is in a state of financial emergency,'' chief auditor Allen Vann wrote in a memo to the School Board last week.

It was the third audit in a row to find financial problems in JESCA, one of Miami-Dade's oldest community organizations, which counts a county commissioner and a state representative among its managers.

School officials are not recommending a new contract for the group, which has provided alternative education programs for at-risk youth for at least the last decade.

At a School Board committee meeting on Thursday, JESCA managers, including County Commissioner Dorrin Rolle, blamed the organization's latest financial problems on slow cash flow, something they said afflicts many community-based organizations.

''We have to pay the bills now and wait for the money to come in,'' said Rolle, who joined JESCA in 1972 as a social worker and now earns $177,000 as its president and CEO.

Superintendent Rudy Crew recommended ending the group's contract with the district last year after audits revealed earlier financial problems. But the board rejected the request and instead approved a ''probationary contract'' for the Roving Leaders program, an alternative education program in Liberty City. [MORE]

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The Sunlight Beauty Academy, Fisher Island, Overtown and Cuba: What's the Connection?

God is good all the time and all the time God is good. What's the purpose of that statement today? Well, I had an epiphany this morning and I'm gonna share it with you.

While driving to work, I flipped my radio from WMBM to the Beat to Hot 105. I hadn't listened to 105 and the Tom Joyner Morning Show on the ride in to work in weeks. I'd somewhat switched to the Beat and the Steve Harvey Morning Show. Anyhoo, when I switched to Tom Joyner this morning, the subject was the Black History Moment. I find that information interesting but this morning Tom Joyner mentioned the Sunlight Beauty School in Miami. What? What's the Sunlight Beauty School?

Well, without going into all the detail, the bottomline is that the Sunlight Beauty Academy was started by David and Lurel Julius back in 1937. What? I know David and Lurel Julius. Those are my sorority sister, Gloria's parents. I knew they were prominent folk in the community but I never knew their personal danger and sacrifice as they broke the law and learned a professional trade --- cosmetology. Now that's still not the reason for the post but hang in here while I connect the dots.

As the Juliuses set out to establish their business which later grew into several schools throughout the U.S. and in Jamaica, their first school was financed with the assistance of Miami's first Black millionaire --- D.A. Dorsey. What? D.A. Dorsey is Stephana's grandfather. Steph is married to my high school friend, William --- how could I just learn of this today? I mean I knew the school was named after him, a street in Overtown and a park but in no way had his accomplishments been shared with me. If I didn't know, surely too many others were as ignorant as I.

After quick conversations and a little research I would learn more of D.A. Dorsey. As amazed as I was when I visited the magnificent Deering Estate in South Dade, I was stunned by the accomplishments of D.A. Dorsey and the number of people he helped. Hopefully this Blogging Black Miami will be used to share the rich history of Blacks in Miami, initiate intelligent discussion and ignite the entrepreneurial spirit of Blacks in Miami.

From http://www.chapter2clothing.org/:

With no more than a fourth grade education, Dorsey, a black man, came to Miami-Dade County in 1896 to work on the railroad. He settled in Miami’s "Colored Town" now known as Overtown. A carpenter by trade, Dorsey helped build the railroad that brought transportation to Miami and soon responded to the need for housing for black workers. He became a Notary Public and according to the 1914 City Directory, was "the only colored dealer." He purchased lots and built rental workforce houses.

The value of the land he purchased increased quickly as Miami expanded, and Dorsey's fortune grew as well. Eventually Dorsey amassed the largest real estate empire owned to date by a black man in Miami-Dade County. His holdings included Fisher Island as well as other properties throughout Dade and Broward counties. He also owned properties in Cuba and the Bahamas. He became Miami’s first black millionaire.

D.A. Dorsey provide land for a park and donated land for a library and school with the stipulation that each be used for the "colored race." To honor his memory the park, school, and library are named for this benefactor. Well respected as a businessman and civic leader, Dorsey was Chairman of the Colored Trustee Board for the county school system.

The Dorsey House was acquired in 1990 by The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc. It is listed on the U.S. Secretary of Interior’s National Register of Historic Places. Following federal guidelines the reconstruction of the original house was completed in 1995.

Related links:

Dorsey House

D.A. Dorsey Educational Center

Black Beauty

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Judicial Prudence or Judicial Prejudice

by Westside Gazette's Editorial Board
Westside Gazette
Originally posted 5/9/2007

No Humans Involved (NHI) was the reply given

Assessing whether or not a judge is operating in a spirit of equality, justice and fairness is not an arduous task. It merely requires us to observe their conduct and record while serving on the bench. Most actions, comments and decisions made by judges become public information. Yet, we are usually astonished when judicial misconduct is exposed.

Judicial misconduct encompasses acts of personal moral misdeeds as well as prejudicial decisions.

Judicial misconduct is as putrid as an act of high treason. It is a repulsive and rancid act of betrayal against our democratic society. Especially since an oath of office is administered to every judge. As a matter of fact, the president of the United States, senators, congressmen and other governmental officials take oaths before assuming their duties. An oath is more than a mere formality that adds to the pageantry of an office or promotion ceremony - it provides a foundation for leadership decisions. [MORE]

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National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. hosts its Second Annual ‘Ready-Set-Life’ Gala

National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Greater Miami Chapter (NCBW), will host its Second Annual “Ready-Set-Life” Gala benefiting young women exiting Florida’s foster care system. The gala will be held on Saturday, June 16, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Ft. Lauderdale Sheraton Airport Hotel, 1825 Griffin Rd., Dania, Fla.

The festivities will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by an elegant four-course dinner and dancing. Event tickets are $75 per person or $700 for a table of 10. Semi-formal attire is recommended.

During the affair, NCBW will award life assistance grants to young women to aid in their transition to independent living. NCBW recognizes that the vast majority of these young adults lack critical family and financial support to cope with the challenges they will face as adults and is firmly committed to offering grants to these women to assist them in achieving their personal and professional goals. The grants are not limited to educational needs but can be used for transportation, housing, health or childcare needs. The Chapter will also present a community organization with its Candace Award for Distinguished Service in advocating on behalf of youth in Florida’s foster care system. Last year’s honorees were State Senator Frederica Wilson, District 33, and Sharon Langer, executive director, Dade County Bar Association, Legal Aid Society.

The NCBW is a charitable organization for socially conscious women committed to the personal and professional development of women. Locally, their programs include professional development workshops; mentoring young women; health fairs and seminars; fostering youth leadership and parental involvement through our Teen Summit, and promoting literacy awareness with our “Authors, Poets and All That Jazz” event.

Corporate Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information about sponsorship, please contact Sheryl Watts, third vice president, at (954) 612-6130 or by e-mail at VPBudgetandFinance@ncbw100miami.org. For tickets or general information, call (305) 788-1548 (Miami-Dade) or (954) 612-6130 (Broward) or via email at info@ncbw100miami.org. You can also register online by visiting us at our website at www.ncbw100miami.org and clicking on the Ready Set Life Gala link!

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A Mother's Day Poem

The Black Mother
~ Author Unknown

Where can I find love that never changes
Smiles that are true and always just the same,
Caring not how the fierce tempest rages,
Willing ever to shield my honored name?


This I find at home, only with Mother,
Who cares for me with patient tenderness;
She from every human pain would rather
Save me, and drink the dregs of bitterness.


If on life's way I happen to flounder,
My true thoughts should be of Mother dear,
She is the rock that ne'er rifts asunder,
The cry of her child, be it far or near.


This is love wonderful beyond compare;
It is God's choicest gift to mortal man;
You, who know Mother, in this thought must share,
For, she, of all, is Angel of your Clan.


My Mother is black, loveliest of all;
Yes, she is as pure as the new made morn;
Her song of glee is a clear rhythmic call
To these arms of love to which I was born.


I shall never forget you, sweet Mother,
Where'er in life I may happen to roam;
Thou shalt always be the Fairy Charmer
To turn my dearest thoughts to things at home.

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Construction Jobs in Miami

There are far too few Black people working. Why? Lack of access? Lack of opportunity? Lack of knowledge?

Whatever the reason, Blogging Black Miami will be used to spread the word about opportunities to estalish viable businesses and opportunities for employment.

Return to this blog for updates and don't forget to spread the word.

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Construction Job Fair
Saturday, May 19, 2007
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Robert Morgan Educational Center
18180 SW 122 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33177


Miami-Dade County Public Schools is hosting its second Construction Job Fair as part of its Workforce Development Program.

If you are interested in construction jobs, this is a great opportunity to meet with employers and industry representatives.

Representatives from various construction management firms, subcontractors, trade unions and industry organizations will be on hand to discuss opportunities in the construction industry and to meet with individuals seeking construction positions.

The M-DCPS Adult & Career Tech Education Department will also be on hand to provide information on various construction training programs offered by M-DCPS.

For more information on the Workforce Development Program and the job fair, contact URS Corporation at 305-354-2009 ext. 223.

Construction training candidates must be at least 16 years old to participate in the M-DCPS Adult & Career Tech Ed Construction Training programs; the majority of construction jobs require workers to be at least 18 years old.

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Don't Trip, He is the Strong Mayor

Black leaders staged a sit-in to protest the termination of Metro-Dade Transit director Roosevelt Bradley by Carlos Alvarez, Miami-Dade County’s strong mayor. Alvarez cited performance issues and nepotism as reasons contributing to Bradley’s removal. Black leaders claim racism and Alvarez denies race has anything to do with it.

Alvarez refers to Bradley as a nice guy. He goes on to say that the Transit area needs more than a nice guy. Interesting…interesting. Alvarez was given authority to make such personnel changes when the majority of individuals that voted, chose the strong mayor form of municipal government for Miami-Dade County.

Perhaps Bradley’s firing is what Blacks needed to happen since too few turned out to vote on such a serious issue. Don’t cry now. Much more effort should have been placed in educating Blacks about the strong mayor position. Alvarez waged a phenomenal media campaign while the opposition tried too little too late.

Too add insult to injury, protestors left the Mayor’s office without seeing or hearing him. Hello, talk about giving someone your behind to kiss. The protestors should have taken a lesson from former State Senator Kendrick Meek and Senator Tony Hill who sat-in all night in Governor Jeb Bush's office. Stay until your message is heard by the mainstream media. Spend the night in the Mayor’s office, if necessary. That would have been much more effective.

Denying charges of racism, Alvarez forced the Planning and Zoning director Dianne O’Quinn Williams to retire and Employee Relations Director Donald Allen was demoted. Both are white. He also hired Phyllis Tynes-Saunders a Black woman to head Human Services.

The Alvarez victory was also a clue from the citizens of Miami-Dade County that the corruption and mismanagement featured in media would not be tolerated any longer. The commissioners have themselves to blame for their plight.

Amazingly, Blacks were the only demographic group to overwhelmingly oppose the strong mayor. In spite of improper oversight and mismanagement of housing funds, Blacks still cut some slack to the Black leaders. Several key white Latin leaders also opposed the strong mayor move. What’s done is done. If the bloodletting has begun, get popcorn and a beverage, this show will be interesting. Stay tuned.

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